About Us
We’re home to 490 partners, 2400 lawyers, 3200 legal professionals and 5,500 people overall in nearly 70 offices and associated offices worldwide. All of us share the same commitment to delivering exceptional client service. But we’re also individuals. People from different backgrounds, with varying interests and perspectives. We think this makes Clyde & Co a very inspiring place to work.
Main areas of work:
We specialise in the sectors that move, build and power our connected world. Our presence in both developed and emerging markets has seen us become one of the fastest growing law firms in the world, with ambitious plans for further growth. Some of our sectors of expertise include Insurance, Aviation, Healthcare, Marine, Energy & Natural Resources, Drones and Climate Change.
Who should apply?
The firm is looking for candidates who combine an excellent academic track record with strong commercial acumen and a practical approach to problem-solving. We therefore look for those with ambition, independent thinking, curiosity and commitment, honed with the ability Trainees need to communicate effectively and build relationships with both clients and colleagues.
First Year Opportunities
Our two Bright Futures programmes aim to support groups that are currently under-represented in the legal sector, by giving them the opportunity to experience life at an international law firm through interactive sessions and work shadowing. As part of the programme, students are assessed for a place on our Vacation Scheme the following year. Those that are offered will receive a mentor for that year, to prepare them for the Vacation Scheme.
The programmes are open to first-year law students and penultimate-year non-law students from lower socio-economic backgrounds via the Bright Futures - Access programme, and black heritage students via the Bright Futures - Black Talent programme.
Vacation Schemes
Our vacation schemes are the perfect opportunity for you to experience life with our firm. You’ll spend two weeks with us and, although some of your time will be about you getting to know what we do and who we work with, you’ll have plenty of time to get to know our trainees, associates and partners too.
Virtual Experience Programme
At Clyde & Co, we recognise the challenges that students and graduates can face when trying to access a career in the legal profession. It is our aim to provide an opportunity to understand what a career in law would look like by providing a practical insight into the day-to-day life of a commercial lawyer. To make this vision a reality, we have partnered with Forage to provide a globally accessible virtual experience programme that can help anyone, anywhere explore, develop, and attain a career in law.
This modular virtual experience will provide practical skills and confidence to all of the candidates that complete it. Through a series of simulated tasks designed directly by our global team of Clyde & Co lawyers, based on their own experiences in the firm.
Training Contracts
You will gain early responsibility with opportunities to develop your skills through close personal supervision and a wide range of training courses. You will undertake four six-month seats, which will cover both contentious and transactional work. You may choose to be seconded to one of our international offices or have the opportunity to undertake a client secondment. The combination of a wide variety of practice areas, local offices, international and client opportunities means you’ll have the chance to have a broad range of exposure to our whole network.
We’ll make sure you have plenty of support before your training begins – you can look forward to one-to-one sessions with our graduate team covering things like your career preferences; workshops, presentations and training sessions at our offices; an SQE mentoring programme and social events.
Throughout your training contract you’ll have the opportunity to experience various legal, technical and business-focused training sessions. In addition to this, you’ll have access to MyDevelopment – an online training resource to support you with your personal and professional development. We also have an extensive training library which will help you to succeed within your role, fulfil your potential and progress your career.
Diversity and Inclusion:
We are a global law firm, which is one of the reasons why we are so passionate about diversity and inclusion. We want everyone here to be empowered and to thrive, so if you join us, we will continue to focus on removing barriers to your progression.
Our five inclusion networks bring together individuals within the law firm, whether as a member of a community or as an ally, to shape the voice of our firm and create change.
1) GECCO – Gender Equality at Clyde & Co.
2) PACT – Parents and Carers Together
3) Pryde & Co. – LGBTQIA+ and allies
4) Enable – Disability, neurodiversity and accessibility
5) ACED – Achieving Cultural and Ethnic Diversity
Pro Bono Initiatives
Clyde & Co has a Responsible 60 policy which means lawyers can spend up to 60 hours working on firm-approved pro bono activities and this will be credited towards their billable targets. These hours will be treated as chargeable work in this context. This allowance applies to all fee earners globally. There are many pro bono opportunities, including trainee-led initiatives such as our Climate Change Group.
Clyde & Co are proud to be a disability confident committed employer.